Everybody, I can honestly say this list has generated way more attention than I ever imagined it would. I would like to respond generally to some of the comments that have been made.
This list was done by my Dad as a way to thank all of the guys that made his successes, whatever they may be, as a football coach possible. We did a top 50, because this is Dad's 50th consecutive year involved in HS Football.
We said from the beginning of the announcement of this list, that our parameters were about how guys played on the football field, period. There are men on that list that have become Teachers, Doctors, Accountants, Nurses, Operating Engineers, Computer-Experts, Blue-Collar Workers, Retail Workers, Cooks, Bartenders and everything in-between. Some have not always followed the straight and narrow. Players personal successes and/or failures outside of the football field were not factors for this list. You can say we should have considered it, I understand that criticism, but we did not. If you do not agree with it, I understand. I am proud of this list, will defined how we created it, and I am happy to talk about it with you in person. I know Bleedred is going to seek me out this weekend and I truly look forward to meeting him. I invite anyone to come and talk football with Dad and me.
I want to thank Lags and the others for the spirited defense of my Dad. As you can imagine, my entire family is proud of the contribution my Dad made to this community. I will always zealously defend my Dad, because that is what a son is supposed to do for his father. I think the best thing I ever heard anyone write or say about my Dad and the job he did at Allegany was my friend (and CTN Sports Editor) Mike Burke, who wrote something to the effect that on 2 Separate Occasions, Jack took a job that others were scared to or would not take. I do not think my Dad is the greatest football coach in Cumberland history, though I do believe he would be on the Mt. Rushmore of Area Coaches. Most importantly, over his 50 years as a coach and a broadcaster, he has tried to act with passion, honor, integrity and class. There have been moments when one or more of those character traits may have waivered every now and again, but my Dad is proud of his career, and so is his entire family. He will end his career in HS Football with his head held high.
I want to thank the poster who referred to me as the "Young Gilmore". Someone pointed out to me it has been 20 years since I played for Allegany, and trust me, I feel that old. Again, anytime some has the word young and me together in a sentence, I am stoked beyond belief!!
All that being said, I want to remind everyone to come to Patrick's Pub this Saturday before the game so we can talk Homecoming 2014, the Top 50 list, and any other football memories you have. The Patrick's AYCE Buffet runs from 8-11. Jack and I will be on the air from 9-11 at Pat's. Come on down, eat, drink and talk football. We will be announcing Nos. 10-6 at Patrick's on our Top 50 Countdown, and the Top 5 at Halftime Saturday. Stop in or Tune in to Magic 100.5 This Saturday.
Thanks, Matt Gilmore (i.e. the Young Gilmore)
Here is the List, Nos. 11-50.
11. Larry Ferrens LB V
12. Steve Milburn RB A
13. Kevin Steele QB V
14. Marshall Oates OT A
15. Thad Michaels RB A
16. Kevin Krumpack OT V
17. Mark Kagley DL A
18. Tim Wharton CB A
19. Johnny Fields ATH A
20. Danny Bauer DB A
21. Brett Miller ATH A
22. Dave Krampf LB A
23. Jimmy O'Neal LB A
24. Eric Wetzel QB A
25. Joe Wolfe C A
26. PJ Yates DB A
27. Rick Jessie ATH A
28. Greg Harper CB A
29. Gary Athey G A
30. Toby White DL A
31. Joe Lewis LB V
32. Geno Taylor DB A
33. Bill Fouts RB/LB V
34. Gabe Darber LB A
35. Jason Chorpenning OT A
36. Brian Miller ATH A
37. Matt Cornelius DL A
38. Chris Ackerson DE A
39. Danny Duncan TE V
40. Joey Langam QB V
41. Bennett Strickland DB A
42. Jason Shook DB A
43. Dave Kline LB/G A
44. Dave Cassidy DE A
45. Bill Hunt WR V
46. Jamie Wilson RB A
47. Mike Bennett G A
48. Larry Johnson RB V
49. Mike Muir DL V
50. Eric Eisentrout OL A
This list was done by my Dad as a way to thank all of the guys that made his successes, whatever they may be, as a football coach possible. We did a top 50, because this is Dad's 50th consecutive year involved in HS Football.
We said from the beginning of the announcement of this list, that our parameters were about how guys played on the football field, period. There are men on that list that have become Teachers, Doctors, Accountants, Nurses, Operating Engineers, Computer-Experts, Blue-Collar Workers, Retail Workers, Cooks, Bartenders and everything in-between. Some have not always followed the straight and narrow. Players personal successes and/or failures outside of the football field were not factors for this list. You can say we should have considered it, I understand that criticism, but we did not. If you do not agree with it, I understand. I am proud of this list, will defined how we created it, and I am happy to talk about it with you in person. I know Bleedred is going to seek me out this weekend and I truly look forward to meeting him. I invite anyone to come and talk football with Dad and me.
I want to thank Lags and the others for the spirited defense of my Dad. As you can imagine, my entire family is proud of the contribution my Dad made to this community. I will always zealously defend my Dad, because that is what a son is supposed to do for his father. I think the best thing I ever heard anyone write or say about my Dad and the job he did at Allegany was my friend (and CTN Sports Editor) Mike Burke, who wrote something to the effect that on 2 Separate Occasions, Jack took a job that others were scared to or would not take. I do not think my Dad is the greatest football coach in Cumberland history, though I do believe he would be on the Mt. Rushmore of Area Coaches. Most importantly, over his 50 years as a coach and a broadcaster, he has tried to act with passion, honor, integrity and class. There have been moments when one or more of those character traits may have waivered every now and again, but my Dad is proud of his career, and so is his entire family. He will end his career in HS Football with his head held high.
I want to thank the poster who referred to me as the "Young Gilmore". Someone pointed out to me it has been 20 years since I played for Allegany, and trust me, I feel that old. Again, anytime some has the word young and me together in a sentence, I am stoked beyond belief!!
All that being said, I want to remind everyone to come to Patrick's Pub this Saturday before the game so we can talk Homecoming 2014, the Top 50 list, and any other football memories you have. The Patrick's AYCE Buffet runs from 8-11. Jack and I will be on the air from 9-11 at Pat's. Come on down, eat, drink and talk football. We will be announcing Nos. 10-6 at Patrick's on our Top 50 Countdown, and the Top 5 at Halftime Saturday. Stop in or Tune in to Magic 100.5 This Saturday.
Thanks, Matt Gilmore (i.e. the Young Gilmore)
Here is the List, Nos. 11-50.
11. Larry Ferrens LB V
12. Steve Milburn RB A
13. Kevin Steele QB V
14. Marshall Oates OT A
15. Thad Michaels RB A
16. Kevin Krumpack OT V
17. Mark Kagley DL A
18. Tim Wharton CB A
19. Johnny Fields ATH A
20. Danny Bauer DB A
21. Brett Miller ATH A
22. Dave Krampf LB A
23. Jimmy O'Neal LB A
24. Eric Wetzel QB A
25. Joe Wolfe C A
26. PJ Yates DB A
27. Rick Jessie ATH A
28. Greg Harper CB A
29. Gary Athey G A
30. Toby White DL A
31. Joe Lewis LB V
32. Geno Taylor DB A
33. Bill Fouts RB/LB V
34. Gabe Darber LB A
35. Jason Chorpenning OT A
36. Brian Miller ATH A
37. Matt Cornelius DL A
38. Chris Ackerson DE A
39. Danny Duncan TE V
40. Joey Langam QB V
41. Bennett Strickland DB A
42. Jason Shook DB A
43. Dave Kline LB/G A
44. Dave Cassidy DE A
45. Bill Hunt WR V
46. Jamie Wilson RB A
47. Mike Bennett G A
48. Larry Johnson RB V
49. Mike Muir DL V
50. Eric Eisentrout OL A